Jubilee year for the Ishavsmuseet
2012 was a very successful season for the Ishavsmuseet. In its first year of operation without museum consolidation, the museum can point to several new records. Approximately 10.000 people came through the museum's doors last year, which is an increase of 75 percent compared to the 2011 season, and by far the largest number of visitors for the Ishavsmuseet ever.
CEO Webjørn Landmark is delighted with the good visitor numbers. It is a big number, and an important milestone to reach 10.000 visits in a year, he says.
FThe communication of history that the Ishavsmuseet presents is the most important thing for us at the museum, and we have had great success with this in 2012. The initiative for lecture evenings with various polar themes has also been a great success, and will continue at regular intervals in 2013, promises Webjørn Landmark.
A large part of the increase in 2012 comes from more tourist bus calls. We are very pleased that more tour operators are choosing to stop at Brandal, says Landmark. Access to the pier at the museum has also made it easier for shuttle boats to visit the museum with passengers from cruise ships calling at Ålesund.
The large increase in visitor numbers also resulted in new revenue records, and the museum can report a 93 percent increase in revenue in 2012.
These are also very encouraging numbers, says Landmark, who also has great confidence that 2013 will be another great year for the Ishavsmuseet.
Naturally, the 100th anniversary of Aarvak helped increase the numbers for 2012, but in 2013, the Ishavsmuseet will also present several new events with the opening of three new exhibitions. Among them is part two of the exhibition Ragnar Thorseth – A Life Lived, which opens on May 1st.
FExhibitions are important to the Ishavsmuseet, and in recent years we have replaced and renewed many of our exhibitions. Much new work will also take place on this front in both 2013 and 2014.
